Archive | 4th of July

It’s not too late… You still have time to make this simple table runner to enjoy the whole month of July! I originally shared this post on Or So She Says. I am loving my new Patriotic Table Runner Tutorial. I have table runners for several other holidays, but not a good one for the 4th of July. It was time to fix that. Let’s get making a table runner!

Finished size: 16 X 46 inches

Supplies needed:

1/3 yard navy blue fabric

1 fat quarter (or scraps) red fabric

1/2 yard white fabric

1/2 yard fabric for backing, plus a few scraps.

1/4 yard fabric for binding

Batting size approx. 18 X 48 inches

1/4 yard wonder under (for appliquéing the stars)

1. Cut Fabric.

Navy blue squares – cut 12 X 12 inches.

Red and White Stripes – cut 2 X 12 inches.

White Border – cut 3 strips 2 X 44 inches (width of fabric)

Binding – cut 3 strips 2.5 X 44 inches (width of fabric)

2. Cut and Applique Stars.

Print this star (or draw your own). My star is about 8.5 inches across. Trace onto fusible web, and iron onto white fabric. Then, cut out along traced lines. Peel off the paper layer and iron onto the navy blue squares. If you are new to applique, here is a basic tutorial for you.

Sew some scraps onto the backing piece. The width of fabric is just a little bit too short. I added a 3 inch strip on each end, because I like things symmetrical. 🙂

4. Quilt.

There are a few things that can make putting all your layers together easier. First, tape your backing to the floor so it doesn’t move. Be sure to not stretch your fabric. Use adhesive spray and curved safety pins to keep the layers together.

Machine quilting is my favorite. This is easily done on a standard sewing machine. For this table runner, I just used straight lines, nice and easy. I used white thread on the white, blue thread on the blue, and red thread on the red.

5. Bind.

There are several ways to do binding. This is my favorite way. Sew your three strips of fabric together so that you have one super long piece of fabric. Press in half, wrong sides together. Sew strip onto the front of your table runner. Tack down the back side by hand or with your machine (I always do it by hand!). If you need more tips for binding, I love this tutorial.

One of our favorite treats to make are Pretzel Hugs. We originally learned about pretzel hugs years ago from Becky Higgins. We have made them over and over. The fun part is that we can get the seasonal m&m’s and make our treats look festive. This time we made them, I went to our local Partyland store where you can by m&m’s by the color. So for July, I bought red, white, and blue m&m’s. Perfect.

They are super easy to make and perfect for the kids to help with.

PRETZEL HUGS

1/2 bag pretzels
1 bag M&M’s
1 bag Hershey Hugs

Place pretzels on a baking sheet. Place the unwrapped hugs on to each pretzel. Bake at 200 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and promptly put a couple of m&m’s on each hug, pressing them into the melted chocolate. Place in refrigerator to set up. Enjoy!

Here is how Cali’s Christmas ones turned out:

If you need an idea of what to do with your leftover pretzels, I highly recommend these: